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TCL PlayCube: A cubic projector that spins like a Rubik's Cube and turns movie nights into an adventure

Why this portable wonder with Google TV and a 3-hour battery is the ultimate camping companion

TCL PlayCube
Photo: TLC

The TCL PlayCube isn't just another projector—it's a spinning toy that projects 1080p images up to 150 inches, supports Netflix and Dolby audio, and is powered by a battery that provides three hours of movie magic. For €799 (about $930), it brings a breath of fresh air to the world of portable projectors, where a boring design is no longer enough. It's a cube that not only projects, but also entertains—and might even save your evening when Netflix doesn't know what to watch again.

TCL PlayCube is not just another projector – it’s a spinning toy that projects 1080p images up to 150 inches, supports Netflix and Dolby audio, and is powered by a battery that provides three hours of movie magic. For €799 (about $930), it brings a breath of fresh air to the world of portable projectors, where boring designs are no longer enough. It’s a cube that not only projects, but also entertains – and might even save your evening when Netflix doesn’t know what to watch again.

Adventure, is an open-air theater

Imagine this: you’re sitting in a tent in the middle of the wilderness, the stars above you looking like an Oscar stage, and instead of painstakingly setting up a projector on a jagged rock, you simply turn this wonder like a Rubik’s Cube. And voila – the movie begins on a screen created by Mother Nature. This is not a scene from a futuristic series, but the reality of the TCL PlayCube, a portable projector that has just hit the market and promises to turn your movie nights into a dynamic experience. If you’re tired of projectors standing around like bored security guards at a party, this cube, inspired by the legendary toy, is your new best friend. But beware: once you start turning it, it’s hard to stop – and you might find yourself on YouTube boasting about tricks that even a Rubik’s Cube world champion would envy.

Photo: TLC
Photo: TLC
Photo: TLC

Why is the TCL PlayCube a revolution in projector design?

Most projectors are like that friend who brings chips without sauce to a party—reliable but lacking in excitement. You point it at a wall, press a button, and pray that the image doesn't look like a watercolor after the rain. TCL PlayCube is another story. With a 90-degree rotating mechanism inspired by the Rubik's Cube, it allows projection from all possible angles without the need for stands or acrobatic skills. This Magic Cube Design It's not just for show - it's a solution to real problems. Place it on your living room table, rotate it 90 degrees, and project it onto the ceiling for the ultimate lazy movie marathon. Ironic, right? Once synonymous with static entertainment, the projector is now becoming an interactive toy for adults that might even inspire a new trend on TikTok: #PlayCubeChallenge, who's first?

Photo: TLC

According to information from the official TCL website and reviews on portals, this design is designed for camping projection, where portability is not a luxury, but a necessity – like a good cup of coffee on a Monday morning. Measuring 15 x 9.7 x 9.7 cm and weighing just 1.3 kg, you can throw it in your backpack and go on an adventure. No more searching for a power outlet in the middle of the forest – the 66Wh battery provides up to 3 hours of playback, which is a record in its class. And if the battery runs out faster than you expected (because, let's be honest, Foreigner needs a sequel), a 30-minute charge gives you another hour of entertainment. It's like your projector gaining superhero powers while the competition is still hanging on to its cables like a relic from the '90s.

Technical specifications: From 1080p to Dolby sound

Under the surface lies a 0.33″ DMD chip that delivers 1080p Full HD resolution with 4K input capability (but the output remains 1080p, because, well, dreams have their limits). A brightness of 750 ISO lumens allows for images to be projected up to 150 inches, even in dimly lit rooms – perfect for evenings in the living room or outside at sunset, when the light gently fades in the hope of a timely end to the workday. The REC.709 color gamut reaches 124 %, thanks to ImmersiColor technology, which delivers colors so vibrant that you’ll feel like you’re in the cinema, not on the couch with a bag of popcorn.

Sound? Built-in 5W The Dolby Digital Plus speakers with 360-degree sound are surprisingly solid – not exactly rock concert-level, but more than decent for a portable projector. The rumored 85W of power was clearly a joke, but 5W with equalizer still feels like you have a mini-cinema in your pocket. The DualScythe smart cooling system keeps noise below 26dB, which is quieter than your cat waiting for dinner. Google TV with Netflix certification, Google Cast for wireless playback and Wi-Fi 5 ensure smooth streaming, while HDMI and USB inputs allow you to connect to game consoles or external devices. In short, this is an entertainment center you could carry in your pocket – if you had runway-worthy pants.

Photo: TLC

Compared to TCL's A1 ($499 $, about $430), the PlayCube stands out with its rotating design and larger battery. Competition like the XGIMI Horizon 20 ($1,700 $) is more expensive and less portable—like comparing a yacht to a Vespa. SEO keywords like portable projector with battery, 1080p projector for camping or TCL PlayCube projector, show that this is a hot topic, and PlayCube is conquering it with an innovation that could be seen in any trendy application.

Pros and Cons: Is it worth the price?

The advantages are obvious: easy setup with autofocus, keystone correction and obstacle detection via TOF sensor means the projector is plug and play in the truest sense of the word – without the hassle of old VHS tapes. The battery and portability make it ideal for nomads, families or students in crowded dorm rooms where space is rarer than the silence of a library.

Cons? At €799 (about $930), it's not exactly a budget choice—and the 16GB of storage means you'll need external storage for offline content, like asking your smartphone for a favor. The 750-lumen brightness is great for dark rooms, but in full daylight the image fades faster than your motivation to workout. The sound is solid, but if you're an audiophile, hook up Bluetooth speakers and elevate the experience to cinema-level. Still, for the price, the PlayCube is an investment in entertainment that revolves around you—literally and figuratively.

Photo: TLC

It is available for order on Amazon from September 5, 2025, with delivery between September 21 and October 13. It is already on sale in Europe and the US, with Japan following soon. If you are looking for best portable projector 2025, the PlayCube is at the top of the list – not just because of the specs, but because it makes technology fun, as if adding a pinch of magic to the equation.

Conclusion: Spin and enjoy

TCL PlayCube is not just a projector; it is a small revolution in the world of entertainment, where design meets practicality with a dose of humor – and maybe even a hint of childish joy in an adult world. If you are ready to turn your way of watching movies around, order it and prepare for nights you will never forget – or, if you overdo it with comedy, you will. And who knows, maybe you will use it to solve a Rubik's Cube during break or to project your favorite series onto the ceiling of a tent. In a world where technology is often as serious as a tax return, the PlayCube brings a smile and a touch of cosmopolitan elegance to your daily routine.

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